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On May 26, 2016, a group of students from Concordia’s Music Therapy graduate programs travelled from Montreal, Quebec to Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario to attend to the 42nd Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT) conference. This event allowed them to expand their knowledge through attending diverse presentations, and to network with Canadian leaders in the various fields of music therapy research. Annabelle Brault, Executive Assistant for the WFMT, interviewed Kimiko Suzuki & Andy MacDonald about their experience.Annabelle: From a graduate student perspective, what motivated you to attend the 42nd CAMT conference?Andy: Being a student of Concordia’s Music Therapy Graduate Diploma program offers a great pedagogical experience, but I wanted to expand my perspective to see what practicing music therapists are doing in terms of their daily practice as well as their research projects.Kimiko: I have never attended a CAMT conference before, and this is my first year registered as a CAMT member as a student intern. Because of this, I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about current music therapy discourse alongside my classmates, while attending at a reduced cost. I am also currently residing in the Hamilton area while I complete my final internship over the summer, which is not very far at all from Kitchener/Waterloo, so the chance seemed too good to pass up!Annabelle: What was the most beneficial aspect of the conference for you?Andy: The conference was a great inspiration spark! With so many Canadian music therapists in one place, you could truly feel the excitement in the air. Considering the tendency for the profession to be isolating, this conference is more than a place to share information; it seems like an exercise in community-strengthening. There was a great diversity of programming as far as the presentations were concerned, and I learned about how various music therapists vary in the ways they practice.Kimiko: I found it extremely stimulating and inspiring to sit in a room with many accredited music therapists and fellow enthusiasts while discussing such varied topics - from the role of music therapy alongside other allied arts in healthcare, to awareness of the inherent yet often invisible racism in our profession and how to push back against it. Even though there were so many diverse viewpoints and perspectives, the conversations were always respectful and thoughtful, which speaks to the inclusive nature of music therapy in Canada.Annabelle: What do you take home from your experience?Andy: I don’t know if I could distill my experience down to one take-away, so I’ll mention my feelings after one particular presentation. The most inspiring presentation I attended was called “Navigating Whiteness in Music Therapy: Resisting Racism and Promoting Allyship,” presented by Erin Linden, Tamon Scarlett, and Laura Mae Lindo. The presenters challenged their audience to consider how their social location might impact their daily interactions, and to form allyships with people and organizations that promote social equality. As a white male, I need to be keenly aware of how privileges play into my social interactions and try to think and act in ways that promote justice and social equality.Kimiko: As I go into my work as a music therapy intern new to palliative and hospice care, feeling unsure about my competence, I think back to the experiences and ideas of those who brought their expertise to the CAMT conference. These memories provide me the motivation and encouragement I need to bring newfound passion and confidence to my sessions with clients. Alongside the connections and friendships I made in this short period of time, this conference will remain an unforgettable event in my journey as an aspiring music therapist. Interview prepared by Annabelle Brault, MTA, MT-BCCanadaWFMT Executive Assistant
